Last updated: 7 March 2026 | Educational guide — not immigration or legal advice. Always verify on the official Australia Awards Africa website before applying.
The Australia Awards Africa 2027 scholarship is currently open and closes on 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST. If you are a mid-career professional from one of the 25 eligible African countries and want to pursue a fully funded Master's degree at an Australian university, this is one of the most comprehensive government scholarship programmes available right now. Since 2004, over 4,000 African scholars have studied in Australia under this programme — including nearly 2,000 postgraduate scholars. There are currently 24 active alumni associations across Africa, making the professional network a long-term asset alongside the degree itself. This guide covers everything you need: what the scholarship pays for, who qualifies, which fields are prioritised, which 25 countries are eligible, and exactly how to apply before the deadline. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace official guidance from the Australian Government, DFAT, or immigration authorities.
- What Is Australia Awards Africa?
- At-a-Glance Facts Table
- What the Scholarship Covers
- 25 Eligible African Countries
- Priority Fields of Study
- Full Eligibility Requirements Checklist
- English Language Requirements
- How to Apply Step by Step (OASIS)
- Required Documents
- How Selection Works
- What Happens After You Are Selected
- Australia Awards Short Courses (Alternative Path)
- Suggested Australian Universities by Field
- Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- When Does the Next Cycle Open?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About the Programme
- At-a-Glance Facts
- Full Benefits List
- 25 Eligible Countries
- Priority Fields of Study
- Eligibility Checklist
- English Language Requirements
- How to Apply via OASIS
- Required Documents
- Selection Process
- After Selection — Pre-Departure & Family
- Short Courses Alternative
- Suggested Australian Universities
- Application Tips
- Next Cycle Dates
- FAQ
About the Australia Awards Africa Programme
The Australia Awards Africa scholarship is a fully funded, long-term award administered by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It is part of the broader Australia Awards programme — one of Australia's flagship international development initiatives. The Africa programme focuses on building leadership and professional capacity across the African continent by funding eligible professionals to pursue a Master's degree at an Australian university.
The programme is designed for mid-career to senior-level professionals from the public, private, and civil society sectors. It is not aimed at recent graduates — you must have at least five years of post-graduation work experience in a relevant field and be currently employed. The programme covers Masters degrees only. Bachelor's and PhD degrees are not available under Australia Awards Africa.
At-a-Glance Facts
| Scholarship Name | Australia Awards Africa Scholarship |
| Funded By | Australian Government — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) |
| Intake Year | 2027 (commencement in Australia) |
| Application Open Date | 1 February 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST — Currently Open |
| Study Level | Master's degree only (Bachelor's and PhD are not available) |
| Funding | Fully funded — see complete benefits list below |
| Establishment Allowance | AUD 5,000 one-time payment on arrival |
| Minimum Age | 25 years on 1 February 2027 |
| Maximum Age | 52 years at the date of application |
| Work Experience | Minimum 5 years post-graduation (3 years if applicant has a disability) |
| Eligible Countries | 25 African countries (see full list below) |
| Application System | OASIS — Online Australia Scholarships Information System |
| Result Notification | Late 2026 (only shortlisted candidates are contacted) |
| Return Obligation | Yes — awardees are expected to return to their home country after graduation |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |
| Official Website | australiaawardsafrica.org |
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Australia Awards Africa scholarship is one of the most comprehensive fully funded packages available to African professionals. Here is the complete confirmed list of benefits:
- Full tuition fees — paid directly to your Australian university for the duration of your Master's programme.
- Return economy class airfare — one flight to Australia at the start and one return flight home at the end.
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) — paid fortnightly for food, local transport, and everyday costs in Australia.
- Establishment Allowance — AUD 5,000 — a one-time payment on arrival to help cover accommodation deposits, textbooks, study materials, and household items.
- Introductory Academic Programme (IAP) — a compulsory pre-study course that prepares you for Australian university life and culture before your degree begins.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — health insurance valid for the full duration of your enrolment in Australia.
- Fieldwork allowance — for research students and coursework Master's programmes with a compulsory fieldwork research component.
- Reunion airfare — available for scholars whose course is two years or longer and whose family has remained in their home country, allowing one midway trip home.
- Reasonable disability support — access adjustments assessed case by case for scholars with disabilities throughout the programme.
25 Eligible African Countries
Australia Awards Africa is open to citizens of the following 25 African countries. You must be a citizen of — and residing in — your country of citizenship at the time of applying, unless you are working for an African Regional Organisation or are employed in another eligible African country.
Always check your country-specific profile on the official Australia Awards Africa website. Each country has its own additional eligibility conditions, priority fields, and document requirements beyond the general programme rules.
Priority Fields of Study
Australia Awards Africa focuses on areas where Australia has world-leading expertise and where capacity building in Africa will deliver the strongest development returns. The programme currently prioritises five broad areas. Applications in any field outside your country's priority areas will not be considered.
Agribusiness, food systems, rural development, nutrition policy.
Environment, sustainability, renewable energy policy, disaster risk.
International relations, governance, diplomacy, peacebuilding.
Social policy, gender studies, disability rights, community development.
Extractive industries, energy policy, resources management, engineering.
Full Eligibility Requirements — Checklist
The programme runs strict eligibility screening before shortlisting. Applications that miss even one requirement are disqualified at the first stage.
✅ You ARE eligible if you:
- Are a citizen of one of the 25 eligible African countries listed above.
- Are residing in and applying from your country of citizenship (or working in another eligible African country at the time of applying).
- Are at least 25 years of age on 1 February 2027.
- Are no older than 52 years of age at the date of application.
- Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
- Have at least 5 years of post-graduation work experience in a field related to your intended study. (Applicants with a disability need a minimum of 3 years of post-graduate work experience.)
- Are currently employed at the time of applying.
- Are applying for your first Master's degree — you must not already hold a Master's or be enrolled in one.
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements (see the English section below).
- Can demonstrate a clear and specific plan for how your study will contribute to development outcomes in your home country.
❌ You are NOT eligible if you:
- Are an Australian citizen, hold Australian permanent residency, or are applying for a permanent Australian visa.
- Are married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident at any point during the application, selection, or mobilisation phases.
- Already hold a Master's degree or equivalent, or are currently enrolled in one.
- Have previously received a long-term Australia Award (unless you have resided outside Australia for twice the total duration of your previous award).
- Hold convictions of criminal activities, including Child Protection and PSEAH offences.
- Are applying to study for a Bachelor's or PhD degree — these levels are not funded under Australia Awards Africa.
- Are applying for a field of study that is not listed as a priority area for your country.
English Language Requirements
English proficiency is a requirement of Australian universities — not just the scholarship programme. Applicants must provide official test scores unless they qualify for an exemption. The accepted tests and minimum scores are:
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5 — no individual band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 84 — minimum 21 in all four subtests |
| PTE Academic | Overall 58 — no communicative skill score below 50 |
Important: Your English test scores must be valid on 1 January 2026. You cannot submit your application and provide your test score later — all required documents including language proof must be uploaded at the time of submission. No late document submissions are accepted.
How to Apply Step by Step (via OASIS)
All applications must be submitted online through OASIS — the Online Australia Scholarships Information System. If you are genuinely unable to apply online, you can apply by mail — check your country profile for the local contact and hardcopy form details. Follow these steps carefully.
Visit australiaawardsafrica.org and find your specific country profile. Confirm your country's priority fields, any additional local eligibility conditions, and any country-specific documents beyond the general list.
Access OASIS through the Australia Awards Africa website. Register and answer initial eligibility questions. If eligible, you receive a unique registration number, username, and password to complete your application.
Fill in all sections online. Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport — including first, middle, and last names. No nicknames, shortened versions, or abbreviations. You can save a draft and return to update before submission. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed.
Compile documents into clearly named PDF files by category and upload everything within OASIS before submitting. You cannot submit your application and provide supporting documents later. All required documents must be included at the time of submission or your application will not be considered.
OASIS experiences very high traffic in the final days before 30 April 2026. The programme explicitly states that late submissions caused by system delays will not be accepted. Aim to submit your complete application at least one full week before the closing date.
Required Documents
Prepare all documents well in advance. Successful candidates will need to produce originals for certification at a later stage. All documents must be uploaded at the time of application — no late document submissions are accepted.
- Valid passport — biographical page showing your full legal name exactly as used in OASIS registration.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificate for your Bachelor's qualification.
- Proof of current employment — a letter on official organisational letterhead, dated within the last 3 months.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) — clearly showing a minimum of 5 years of post-graduation work history in a relevant field (or 3 years if you have a disability).
- Two referee reports — submitted on official letterhead of the referee's organisation, signed by the referee and stamped if a stamp is available. You may use your own template as long as it is on official letterhead; a specific Australia Awards template is not mandatory.
- English language proficiency evidence — official IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic test score valid on 1 January 2026 (unless you qualify for the English-medium education exemption).
- Any country-specific documents listed in your national country profile on the official website.
How the Selection Process Works
What Happens After You Are Selected
Pre-Departure Briefing — Mandatory
Australia Awards scholars are required to attend a Pre-Departure Briefing, held at least six weeks before travelling to Australia. These briefings are held in multiple locations across Africa. The briefing provides essential information and advice about living and studying in Australia, including what to expect on arrival, your rights and responsibilities as a scholar, and the complete process for any family who will join you.
Can I Bring My Family to Australia?
Yes — but with important conditions. Successful scholars can apply for their spouse and children to join them in Australia on dependent visas. However, this is only possible after you have already arrived in Australia, commenced your course, and received approval from your university. The full process is explained at your Pre-Departure Briefing.
Australia Awards does not provide any additional financial support for your family to travel to or live in Australia. All costs for your spouse and children — flights, accommodation, living expenses — are your personal responsibility. Short Course Award participants cannot apply for dependent visas at all.
GEDSI Support
The programme has a dedicated Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) support hub. This provides information and guidance for women applicants, applicants with disabilities, and other marginalised groups throughout the application and scholarship period. Visit the GEDSI hub at: australiaawardsafrica.org/gedsi-support-hub
Australia Awards Short Courses — Alternative Pathway
If you do not qualify for the main Master's scholarship — for example, because you have fewer than five years of work experience, are under 25, or want targeted training rather than a full degree — Australia Awards Short Courses offer an alternative path.
Short Courses are intensive training programmes of generally less than three months, delivered in Australia, across Africa, online, or across multiple locations. They focus on specific technical or professional skills gaps in the programme's priority sectors. They are open to applicants aged 25–55 and do not require five years of work experience. Short Course participants cannot apply for dependent visas.
Short Courses are managed through DFAT overseas posts and advertised separately from the main scholarship round. Check the Australia Awards Africa website for current Short Course offerings and deadlines at: australiaawardsafrica.org/awards/short-courses
Suggested Australian Universities by Priority Field
The Australia Awards Africa scholarship does not place you at a university — you are responsible for identifying an appropriate Australian university and Master's programme in your field. Your study must align with your country's priority areas. Here are well-regarded starting points by field, based on publicly available university rankings and programme offerings. Always research the specific course and confirm it is available at the institution you choose before applying.
| Priority Field | Suggested Universities |
|---|---|
| Agriculture & Food Security | University of Queensland, University of New England (Armidale), Charles Sturt University, University of Melbourne |
| Climate Change & Adaptation | Australian National University (ANU), University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Macquarie University |
| Foreign Policy & Security | ANU (Crawford School of Public Policy), University of Sydney, Griffith University, Monash University |
| Gender, Disability & Social Inclusion | University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Curtin University, University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
| Mining & Energy | University of Queensland (JKMRC), Curtin University, University of Adelaide, Western Australian School of Mines (Curtin) |
Use studyaustralia.gov.au — recommended by the Australia Awards Africa programme — to search for specific courses and institutions in your field. Confirm programme availability and entry requirements directly with each university before including them in your application.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
1. Make Your Development Impact Plan Specific and Measurable
The most important part of your application is showing how your Master's degree will produce real, measurable development outcomes in your home country. Assessors read hundreds of applications — vague statements about wanting to improve your country do not stand out.
❌ "I want to use my degree to improve food security in my country."
✅ "I work as a Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Agriculture in Kenya. After completing a Master's in Agricultural Policy at an Australian university, I will return to lead revision of our national food systems strategy, which affects 2.3 million smallholder farmers and is currently under review."
The second version gives your current role, your proposed course, where you will return, and the specific, real-world target your work will affect.
2. Apply Only Within Your Country's Priority Fields
Check your country-specific profile on the official website before choosing your proposed course. Applying for a field not listed as a priority for your country means your application will not be considered — regardless of how strong everything else is.
3. Ask Referees Early and Brief Them Well
Contact your referees at least 6–8 weeks before 30 April 2026. Give them a clear summary of your development impact plan so their letter reinforces your narrative. Remember, their report must be on the official letterhead of their organisation, signed, and stamped where possible.
4. Confirm Your English Test Is Valid by 1 January 2026
Test scores must be valid on 1 January 2026 — not on the application deadline date. If your current score expires before then, you need to retake the test before applying. Book your test slot early as popular test dates fill up several weeks in advance.
5. Submit Early — Not on April 30
The programme explicitly warns that OASIS experiences high traffic near the deadline and that technical delays will not be accepted as a reason for late submission. Use the draft-save function to build your application across sessions, and aim to submit a minimum of one full week before 30 April 2026.
6. Research Your Australian University Before Applying
You are responsible for identifying a suitable Australian Master's programme. Having an offer already is not required — but you should know which two or three programmes you are targeting so you can describe your intended study credibly. Already holding an offer from an Australian university does not guarantee an Australia Award, but it demonstrates planning and commitment.
When Does the Next Cycle Open?
If you are reading this article after the 30 April 2026 deadline has passed, here is what you need to know for the next intake:
- Applications open: Every year in January–February (the 2026 round opened on 1 February 2026).
- Applications close: Every year on 30 April at 14:00 AEST.
- Results notified: Late in the same year (e.g. late 2026 for 2027 intake).
- Study commences: The following year in Australia (e.g. 2027 for the current round).
- Use the waiting time to: Take and pass your English test, identify your Australian university and course, build your development impact plan, and ask your referees to prepare early.
Bookmark the official website australiaawardsafrica.org and check it from January each year for the confirmed opening date of the next intake cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia Awards Africa 2026 open right now?
Yes. Applications for the 2027 intake opened on 1 February 2026 and close on 30 April 2026 at 14:00 AEST. Apply through OASIS at australiaawardsafrica.org. If this deadline has passed, the next cycle typically opens in February of the following year.
Is Australia Awards Africa fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, economy return airfare, a fortnightly living expenses contribution, a one-time establishment allowance of AUD 5,000, the compulsory Introductory Academic Programme, Overseas Student Health Cover, and a reunion airfare for scholars on programmes of two years or longer. Fieldwork allowances are also available for qualifying research components.
Can fresh graduates apply for Australia Awards Africa?
No. The programme requires a minimum of 5 years of post-graduation work experience in a relevant field, and you must be currently employed at the time of applying. Applicants with a disability need a minimum of 3 years. Recent graduates do not meet the eligibility requirements.
Can I apply for a PhD under Australia Awards Africa?
No. PhD scholarships are not offered under the Australia Awards Africa programme. The programme supports Master's degrees only. Bachelor's degrees are also not funded. If you are looking for PhD funding, explore DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, or Fulbright as alternatives.
Which 25 African countries are eligible?
Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Always verify your country-specific eligibility conditions on the official website.
Do I need a university offer before applying for Australia Awards Africa?
No. You apply for the scholarship first. If you already hold an Australian university offer that is fine — but it is not a requirement and does not guarantee selection. After being awarded the scholarship, you work with the programme to secure your university placement for 2027 commencement. Use studyaustralia.gov.au to research courses in advance.
What English score do I need for Australia Awards Africa?
IELTS Academic: overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0. TOEFL iBT: overall 84 with minimum 21 in all subtests. PTE Academic: overall 58 with no communicative skill score below 50. Scores must be valid on 1 January 2026. You are exempt if your first language is English and you completed your education in English — confirm this with your country profile.
Can I take my family to Australia on Australia Awards?
Yes — with important conditions. You can apply for dependent visas for your spouse and children only after you have arrived in Australia, commenced your course, and received university approval. The process is explained fully at the Pre-Departure Briefing. Australia Awards provides no financial support for your family's travel or living costs in Australia. Short Course participants cannot bring dependents.
Is there a return obligation after Australia Awards Africa?
Yes. Awardees are expected to return to their home country after completing their degree and apply their skills toward development outcomes there. This return expectation is central to the programme's purpose and is part of your scholarship agreement. Failing to return can affect your Australian visa status and future eligibility for Australian Government programmes.
Do I need to use an official referee template?
No specific Australia Awards referee template is mandatory. Your referees can write their own letter — but it must be on the official letterhead of their organisation, signed, and stamped where a stamp is available. All supporting documents including referee reports must be submitted at the time of application. No late documents are accepted.
Where can I get more help with my application?
Contact the programme directly at [email protected]. The official website also runs free Applications Information Sessions — register for one at australiaawardsafrica.org. For GEDSI-related support, visit the dedicated hub at australiaawardsafrica.org/gedsi-support-hub.
Chathu is an independent content writer specialising in international education pathways, global scholarship research, and study abroad preparation for students and professionals in emerging markets. With a focus on African applicants navigating competitive government scholarship programmes, the goal is to produce accurate, well-researched guides that help readers identify real opportunities, understand eligibility requirements, and build strong applications with confidence. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute immigration, legal, or financial advice. Always verify information on official scholarship and government websites before taking action.